Chess Puzzle #I7loQ — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Rating 2227 · Expert · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen g3; rooks c7/f1; pawns a4/b2/c2/d3/d5/f6/h2. Black: king e8; queen d2; rooks f8/h6; bishop e3; pawns a7/b7/d6/e5/g7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bf4 — bishop e3→f4. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c7→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Kd7 (king e8→d7).
  3. Best move: Qg4# — queen g3→g4, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qg4# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4kr2/ppR3p1/3p1P1r/3Pp3/P7/3Pb1Q1/1PPq3P/5R1K b - - 0 32

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Puzzle data from the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Analysis powered by Stockfish 18 in your browser.